WORSHIP LEADERS... Get a Mentor!!!

 (By Marty  McCall)

 

What’s the Big Deal About Worship Leading? 

Leading worship is a joy and a privilege. Period. But within a church community, it’s also a position with lots of moving parts. It can get complicated. 

For starters, to be a church worship leader is to be a singer, musician, arranger, band director, event planner, scheduling genius, walking song library, tech and leadership liaison, rehearsal manager, organizer, producer, stage hand, peacemaker, encourager, confronter, comforter, budget manager, administrator, employee and boss. Whew! Is that the job you thought it was? 

And there’s the spiritual side. It’s unlikely (thankfully) that you’ve chosen this path unless you’re a sold-out, committed follower of Jesus and everything that implies in your life and character. That’s a given. But as a worship leader, consistent, private and public integrity are especially essential for you (no, you don’t have to be perfect) because, besides your pastor, you may be the staff member most visible to your congregation. Oh, and it’s also your responsibility to listen to and hear God to discover and carry out His intentions for your worship team and congregation in coordination with your pastor and leadership as well as interceding for your team and the services. 

So worship leading … no big deal, right? – ha! 

Strengths and Weaknesses 

It seems most worship leaders are drawn (and called) to this field primarily because they’re good musicians and love God. That’s a great entrance, but you obviously need other skills. One area that seems particularly challenging for many is working with, caring for, and leading people. I’ve observed worship leaders who get the worship done, and done well, but shy away from some of the relational aspects of team-nurturing. It can be a slow-learn, requiring a certain type of growing up over time. It takes making mistakes, correcting them and learning from them. 

Of course, you enjoy the pleasure of worshiping together, but as the leader, you’re also required to navigate your team through the challenging situations which come along such as group discord, negative input from congregants, personnel changes in your team or church leadership, musical disagreements, seasons of personal discouragement, enemy attacks or any number of potential church and life difficulties. 

Some leaders may handle the relational and pastoral aspects of their job with ease but struggle with other essential skills such as musical growth or administration. No matter your strengths and weaknesses, it’s natural to want to avoid the uncomfortable parts. But a truly effective worship leader can’t get away with that. The job requires you to lead well in all areas – week after week after week. 

You’re Probably Gonna Need Some Help 

There’s no quick shortcut to becoming a great worship leader and you can’t receive experience through osmosis. But you can work smarter. An excellent way to get a handle on the most important aspects of your job is to get counsel from someone more experienced than you – someone who’s done it all and done it well. That’s the definition of mentoring, or “coaching” as many call it. 

No matter how many great “Top Ten Tips for Worship Leading” you find online (and they are very helpful), there’s no substitute for a personal mentor. It may be inconvenient for a busy worship leader to find a worship “elder,” but it’s a wise choice, following the Biblical tradition of teacher and student. And in the long run, working with mentors can accelerate the maturing process and minimize time consuming detours. 

If you find yourself being resistant to the idea of having a mentor or allowing someone to speak into your life, before you dismiss the idea, search your heart and ask God to show you why you feel that way. Don’t let fear, busyness or the enemy prevent you from the very thing that might catapult you forward in God’s plan for your life. 

Where Do I Start? 

First of all, realize that while the idea of having one life-long, wise, Yoda-type mentor might seem appealing, that’s not a likely or even desirable scenario. Realistically, you’ll work with someone for a limited season and you may work with several different people over time. Each mentor has unique gifts and perspectives to offer and you’ll have a variety of challenges within the seasons of your career. 

For one-on-one coaching, choose a mentor of your own gender, not only for the obvious pastoral wisdom and safety in that choice, but because men and women process life differently. However, a coed format for group coaching or workshops is a great option for getting a wider view of the issues of concern to all worship leaders. 

How Do I Find A Mentor? 

Like everything else, start by asking God to provide the person you need. Let Him lead you. Expect an answer. Look around your own Christian neighborhood: your own church or other area churches, your Bible study group or worship leader groups, etc. Talk to experienced worship leaders you find there. 

If you can find someone locally, that’s great. If not, as you know, online worship training has exploded, giving you access to great, varied, specific and comprehensive teaching. Some may offer one-on-one coaching or worship leader events or courses with opportunities for individual attention. Join social media groups for worship leaders where you’ll find community and possibly a suggestion for a mentor. 

Reach out to those with the experience you need and with whom you connect. Look for a mentor who cares about you as a person, worship leader and musician to walk with you through the process of learning how to be an authentic, effective worship leader within the roller-coaster-merry-go-round-ferris-wheel ride of service-driven church work. 

How Does Mentoring Work? 

Mentoring can be formal, similar to a counseling session, or as informal as meeting for coffee. It can be in person, by Skype, web or phone – anything that works. You may have a short term, time sensitive issue you need to talk about or you may have broader questions about yourself, your faith, your work or future. A mentor or coach may be a volunteer or some may charge fees for their services. 

Whether paid or volunteer, when you find a good fit, it’s important to establish mutually respectful guidelines, taking into account overall expectations, topic agendas, session length and the intended duration of the coaching relationship. You’ll want to determine location(s) for meeting, general availability,  a method for cancelling or rescheduling and various procedural or personal boundaries. 

While paid coaches may provide a contractual agreement which will spell out their policies on these issues, a volunteer mentor may not. A simple, honest conversation at the beginning of your relationship will make you and your mentor more comfortable and avoid unpleasant or time-stealing problems as you go along. 

Passing it On 

Of course, the Holy Spirit is our number one teacher and counselor. But it’s also the Holy Spirit’s nature and God’s design to empower His people to teach, to lead and encourage. We’re hard-wired to learn from each other. And as you learn and grow, remember – you’re always a few steps ahead of someone on this path. So the final, full-circle word: get a mentor and then…become a mentor. It works. 

 

Absolutely hilarious. If you are involved in worship teams or church leadership, you will get it. ;-) I got this (with permission) from a friend of a friend. I don't know if it was original or not.) 

An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. 
“Well,” said the farmer. “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.” 
“Praise choruses?” asked the wife. “What are those?” 
“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like hymns, only different,” said the farmer. 

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked the wife. 
The farmer said, “Well it’s like this … If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a hymn. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you, ‘Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, in the CORN, CORN, CORN, COOOOORRRRRNNNNN,’ then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus.” 

As luck would have it, the exact same Sunday a young, new Christian from the city church attended the small town church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. 
“Well,” said the young man, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs.” 
“Hymns?” asked the wife. “What are those?” 
“They’re okay. They’re sort of like regular songs, only different,” said the young man. 

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked the wife. 
The young man said, “Well it’s like this … If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you, 

Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry 
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth. 
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by 
To the righteous, glorious truth. 
For the way of the animals who can explain 
There in their heads is no shadow of sense, 
Hearkenest they in God’s sun or his rain 
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced. 
Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight, 
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed. 
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night 
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn chewed. 
So look to that bright shining day by and by, 
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn 
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry 
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn, 

then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four, and change keys on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.”

 

 

 

 

FRETTBUZZ BLOG...700 Club Update...  Filming date set!!!

 

Good Morning everyone, 

We received the following email this morning in regards to our anticipated appearance on the 700 club...

 

"Good Morning Steve and Kathy! 

 I’m a producer with The 700 Club and will be in your area Friday, June 22nd.  Would you be available to work with us that day so we can produce your story? 

  

Looking forward to your response.  Have a great weekend! 

 

Shannon Woodland 

Senior Coordinating Producer 

The 700 Club"

 Stephen Levi Anderson & Celebrate ministries Inc 

. 

                FrettBuzz Blog Dec. 2017 

We are so excited to share with you that Stephen Levi & Kathy Anderson have been scheduled to be filmed & share their testimony of Steve’s miraculous stroke recovery to be broadcast on the Easter 2018 showing of the 700 Club, The flagship program of the CBN television network! 

  Plans at this time are that a production team from the 700 Club based in Virginia will arrive in Oregon in January or February, 2018 to film the interview!  The Easter 2018 showing will be on the 9th anniversary of Steve’s 2009 stroke which occurred as Steve & Kathy & the worship Team at Family Life Church in Newberg, Oregon were on stage preparing for that mornings Easter services!   We humbly share this with you all and simply ask for your prayer support as the plans and preparations for this exciting opportunity continue to develop!  We believe that this international broadcast of our story highlighting God’s loving and miraculous hand upon our lives will touch many and offer hope to those currently facing overwhelming life circumstances!   Thank You Jesus!!!  Please follow us on our website at www. celebrateministriesinc.com as we will be sharing more details as they are finalized!  

  FRETTBUZZ BLOG :   JAN. 21, 2015
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Pastor Steve Anderson has been a friend of mine for the last 20 years.  Steve has served me as a Worship Leader in the past and was most recently a guest worship leader in our church in October of 2011.  Both Steve and Kathy have very sensitive hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Steve has been a worship leader in both big and small churches and understands the different dynamics needed in both.  He has a very rare blend of gifts in leadership and music. 

It seems to me to be much easier to find gifted guest speakers than gifted, trusted, guest worship leaders.  I have witnessed a pattern of faithfulness and consistency through the years of both Steve and Kathy and I can give them a wholehearted recommendation as worship leaders for your church.  If you have any concerns or question please feel free to call me at 541.536.2183, or email me at greg@crescentcreek.org

Sincerely,

Greg Price
Lead Pastor  
Crescent Creek Foursquare Church

Comments....
1/21/14  He left out the fact: you are an awesome son of God who brings people to the throne of Jesus!

Pastor Frank Alioto
The River Covenant Church
Kenai, AK
 

FRETT BUZZ BLOG
NOV. 5, 2014

Christmas is on my mind this morning... came across the lyrics to the first Christmas song I ever wrote,
"Behold Emmanuel"  Written FOR THE MUSICAL, A MANGER STORY,
while serving as worship Pastor at Westside Church, Bend, in about 1989!  I've added the recording to the music player on this website, Enjoy!!!! SLA


Behold Emmanuel!
words & music by Stephen Levi Anderson
(C) `1990 Anderpsalms music Co.

Dark & cold, no room for a savior, 
No place for a newborn baby King to lay his head, 
story's told, star in the heaven's leading, 
Wise men whose hearts were seeking the baby where He lay,
 
In a manger on their knees, Behold Emmanuel, 
God with us on this Christmas day!
 

 

  Praise is faith in action. To praise God we must first believe in God. That He is. Then through believing (praising) we seek or come to Him.

  "Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." Heb. 11:6.

  If we diligently seek Him through praise, our action of faith, the reward is that He will reveal Himself.

  Praise is a decision. When we make that decision we not only give action to our faith, but we open the door for the perceived manifested presence of God. The reward. For God inhabits the praises of His children. Psalm 22:3.
 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE
 
 
 

YAD - THE OPEN HAND, DIRECTION
 

AH - REFERRING TO JEHOVAH
 

YADAH - HANDS TO GOD
 
 

WHEN WE GET BEYOND OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BEYOND OUR

SELVES, REACHING HANDS TO THE FATHER WITH THE

ATTITUDE OF LOVE, TRUST AND AWE, THEN WE ARE GIVING

YADAH TO THE LORD
 
 
 

1.  YADAH
HANDS TO GOD

  The Hebrew word YADAH comes from two root words. YAD which means the open hand, direction, power. And AH which has reference to Jehovah. Together they are rendered Hands to God.

  The first time this word appears in Scripture is in Gen. 29:35. Jacob is married to Leah and Rachel. When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren (verse 31).

  The first child born, a son, was named Reuben, for she said, "'the Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me" (verse 32). This blessing (children are always a blessing) caused her to believe God saw her circumstances.

  She brought forth a second son naming him Simeon. "Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved" (verse 33). Evidently there was no change in relationship to Jacob and she may have been praying.

  The Father blessed her again (verse 34) and she said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me.. Therefore his name was called Levi."

  These three blessings caused her to believe that God saw the circumstances, heard the prayers and gave an expectation that all would be well.

  A fourth time she conceived, bore a son and said, "Now I will YADAH the Lord. Therefore his name was called Judah - Praise - YADAH" (verse 35).
 
 

ATTITUDE OF LOVE

  Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with His Holy Word. His Word reveals that He sees our circumstances and desires to show Himself strong on our behalf. That He is watching and ready to perform His Word (2 Chr. 16:9; Jer. 1:12).

  We also know He hears our prayers when we pray according to His will. His Word is His will (1 Jn. 5:14, 15; Jn. 15:7).

  If we truly believe He sees and hears we will have an expectation of victory. This expectation will cause us to get beyond our circumstances(1)and beyond ourselves (2) raising hands to the Father with an attitude of love proclaiming as Leah "Now I will YADAH the Lord".

  Our attitude of love is determined from the value we place upon who God is. That value comes from understanding His Word. As we grow in understanding so will our YADAH to the Father.
 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

  As you read these, mark the word with Y.D. so you will remember what it means. Also as you meditate on the passage answer this question: Why is this person giving YADAH?
 

YADAH translated in the King James Bible as:
 

1. PRAISE: II Chr. 7:6, 20:21; Ps. 7:17,9:1,28:7,30:9, 33:2,42:5, 42:11,43:4,43:5, 44:8-45:17,

49:18, 52:9, 54:6, 67:3, 67:55, 71:22, 76:10, 86:12, 88:10, 89:5, 99:3, 107:8,15,21,31, 108:3,

109:30, 111:1, 118:19,21-28, 119:7, 138:2, 145:10; Is. 12:1
 

2. PRAISED: II Chr.7:3
 

3. THANK: I Chr. 16:4-7, 23:30, 29:13
 

4. THANKFUL: Ps. 100:4
 

5. THANKING: ll Chr.5:13
 

6. THANKS: II Sam. 22:50; I Chr. 16:8,34,35,41, 25:3; II Chr. 31:2; Ezra 3:11; Neh. 12:24; Ps.6:5, 128:49, 30:4-12, 35:18, 75:1, 79:13, 92:1, 97:12, 105:1, 106:147, 107:1, 118:1-29, 119:62,122:4, 136:1,2,3,26, 140:131
 

7. THANKSGIVING: Neh. 11:17, 12:46
 
 

(1) The pressures and anxieties of life's challenges.
 

(2) The inflated view of self. That it would be demeaning to praise by raising hand and/or being fearful of what others may think. Either of these attitudes would be placing our love upon self and not God.
 
 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE
 
 

TO EXTEND THE HANDS

TO SPEAK THE SAME THING
 

JESUS, THE WORD, IS OUR SACRIFICE TO CONFESS THE

WORD IS HOW WE GIVE A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD.
 
 

FURTHER, THE WORD IS OUR ENTRANCE INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
 
 
 
 

2.  TOWDAH
COURT OF LAW

  The word comes from Yadah and means to extend the hands. To declare openly, freely, unreservedly. Admit as real or true. Confession.

  In the Old Testament of the King James version of the Bible, every time you read confess, confessed, confesseth, confessing, confession, know that they are translated from the word Yadcih except in two references which are translated from Towdah.

  In the New Testament these same words are translated from Homologeo, Exomologeo or Homologia and mean "to speak the same thing."

  The implication is that we are to raise the hands as in a court of law swearing to speak the truth. In other words, say what God says. For example, II Cor. 5:17 says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ". So I raise my hands and confess, I am in Christ and therefore I am a new creation. Verse 21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Therefore, I confess I am the righteousness of God in Christ. This is how we apply God's word to our life.

  Col. 1:13; "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." I confess, I have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

  Ro. 8:37; "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." I confess, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.

  Phil. 4:19; "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I raise my hands and confess, my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

  I Pet. 2:24' "Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed." I confess, by the stripes of Jesus I am healed.

  This is what it means to confess, to speak the same thing. Admit as real or true. To declare openly, freely, unreservedly.
 
 

THE PEACE OFFERING
(Read Lev. 3:1-17 and 7:11-18)

  The first time Towdah appears in scripture is in connection with the peace offering (Lev. 7:11). When this sacrifice was offered it represented either a thanksgiving (Lev. 7:12) or service (Lev. 7:16) to God.

  With regard to the other offerings it was the last to be performed (Lev. 7:37) and signified Israel's fellowship and communion with God. This points to the fact that Jesus was our sacrifice through whom we have peace with the Father.

  Isaiah 53:5; the chastisement [correction, discipline, rebuke, reproof] for our peace was upon Him.

  Romans 5:1; Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  God's portion was the fat. Fat surrounds the organs giving them some protection with the main purpose of supplying nutrition. This speaks that the health and vitality of our spiritual life are required by and belong to God [I Cor. 6:19,20].

  To the priest who offered the fat and the blood, the right thigh signif~ing strength, was given [Lev. 7:32,33]. The priest would receive the thigh and offer it to God as a heave offering. Then it would be his for food. As kings and priest to God [Rev. 1:6; I Pet. 2:9], when we are called to a work, He gives us the strength to accomplish it. Furthermore, that is the place where our provisions are provided.

  The children of the priest received the breast [Lev. 7:31]. The typology of the breast is affection and love. Jesus is the great High Priest. And the children of the Priest is the church. As Christians we have one law. The law of LOVE [Jn. 15:12]. When we talk like Jesus, act like Jesus and give like Jesus we are offering the breast of the sacrifice -- the love of God which is Jesus.

  Finally, the flesh belonged to the offerer. John 6:53; "Then Jesus said to them, most assuredly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." And verse 56; "He who eats NIy flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him." How do we eat His flesh and drink His blood that we may have eternal life and abide in Him?

  "It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe" John 6:63,64. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..., And the Word became flesh." John 1:1,14.

  To eat the flesh is to feast upon the Word of God. To drink the blood is to partake of the new covenant by believing and acting upon His Word (I Cor. 11:25; Ro. 10:9,10].

  One way to act upon the Word is to make confession of it. Say the same thing it says.
 
 

ENTERING INTO HIS PRESENCE

  In Jn. 10:7,9 Jesus says He is the door of the sheep. In Jn. 14:6 He says there is no other way to the Father except through Me.

  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving (Towdah) and into His courts with praise (Tehillah) Ps. 100:4. The court is where the King is, His presence. The entrance into the court or His presence is through the gate. Jesus, the Word, is our entrance into the presence of God. This Psalm not only tells us the attitude in which we are to approach God, but that the confession of His Word is the entrance into His presence, His fellowship and communion.
 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

TOWDAH translated in the King James Bible as:
 

1. THANK: II Chr. 29:31 (Both); 33:16
 

2. THANKS: Neh. 12:31,38,40
 

3. THANKSGIVING: Lev. 22:29; Ps. 26:7, 50:14, 69:30, 95:2, 107:22, 116:17, 147:7; Is. 51:3; Jer.

30:19; Amos 4:5; Jonah 2:9
 

4. PRAISE: Ps. 42:4, 50:23; Jer. 17:26,33:11
 

5. PRAISES: Ps. 56:12, 68:4,32, 75:9
 

6. CONFESSION: Jos. 7:19; Ezra 10:11
 
 
 

 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE

1. A LOUD ADORATION

2 THE TESTIMONY OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE

3. A JOYFUL TO OVERFLOWING ATTITUDE

 

 

3.  SHABACH

  A vassal is a person who owes homage to a superior. The Father is our superior to whom we owe homage. Homage is the public acknowledgment by which a vassal declares his faithfulness and loyalty to his lord. Adoration is fervent and devoted love; reverent homage.

  Shabach is to loudly give adoration to God in the form of testimony. Psalms 145:4; "one generation shall praise (Shabach) Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts." Verses 6, 7; "Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness." Verses 10-12; "All Your works shall praise (Yadah) You, 0 Lord, and Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom." Go to your Bible and read all of Psalm 145.

  The Father's lovingkindness is expressed in what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do so that we should say as the psalmist: "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise (Shabach) You," Psalm 63:3.

  Over and over again we are told to shout, to be loud.

  Psalm 5:11; "But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You."

  Psalm 32:11; "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart."

  Psalm 17:1; "Oh clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!"

  Psalm 132:13-16; "For the Lord has chosen Zion (we, the church are Zion); He has desired it for His dwelling place: "This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy."

  Do you understand why we should be loud?

  Ezra 3:10-13: "When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David King of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel. Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the Father's houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off"

  Consider this, we do not shout to receive joy but, because of what the Father has done we have joy and shout. Read Psalm 98.
 
 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE
 
 

TO EXPRESS AN ATTITUDE OF LOVE,
 

SUBMISSION AND TRUST THROUGH THE
 

ACT OF KNEELING OR BOWING
 
 

IT IS TO CONTINUALLY GIVE PLACE TO THE
 

FATHER IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIFE
 
 

A LIFESTYLE
 
 
 
 

4.  BARAUCH
THE ACT OF KNEELING

  Barauch is translated "to kneel or bow as an act of adoration." In other words, we kneel or bow as an expression of our fervant and devoted love for the Father.

  When we kneel or bow we are humbling ourselves. .....God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God..." James 4:6,7.

  When we humble ourselves we are ~bmitting. To submit is to humble ourselves. .....God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Pet. 5:5-7.

  To humble myself is to cast all my care upon the Father. To submit all my concerns to Him. Trusting that He will work out all things for good.

  Barauch then, is to express an attitude of love, submission and trust through the act of kneeling or bowing.

  King David exemplified Barauch when he wanted to build the temple. Read I Chronicles 28:1 through 29:20. In 28:2 he said "...I had it in my heart.. and had made preparations to build it.." Again in 29:2 he said "...I have prepared with all my might..." Verse 3, "...I have set my affection on..." These statements express his love towards the Father.

  When God told him, "you shall not build a house for My name...," David submitted and gave the plans to Solomon whom God had chosen for this work. I Chr. 28:3,6,10-1 la.

  Next David showed his absolute trust in God when he spoke to Solomon and said"'... Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God - my God -will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord." I Chr. 28:20.

  Then "... David blessed (barauch) the Lord before all the assembly..." and ended his prayer by saying, "now bless (barauch) the Lord your God. So all the assembly blessed (barauch) the Lord God of there fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord and the king." I Chr. 29:10-20.

  Another example is found in Genesis 24; 1-52 where the servant of Abraham sought a wife for Isaac. We see the love of the servant expressed in verses 26, 27, 48, 52. The word BLESSED in verses 27 and 48 is barauch.

  The servant's submission to his master Abraham was his submission to the will and purpose of God. verses 9,10.

  Finally, we observe the servant's trust in that he PRAYED. verses 12-14.
 
 

A LIFESTYLE OF BARAUCH

  In the PSALMS we are instructed to BLESS (Barauch) the Father ---
 

- At all times Ps. 34:1

- As Long as we Live Ps. 63:4

- From Day to Day Ps. 96:2

- From this time forth and forever Ps. 145:1,2

- At night in the house of the Lord Ps. 134:1

- Forever and ever, every day Ps. 115:18

  We are to grow and mature to the point that we continually give place to Father in every area of our life. We are to live a lifestyle of Barauch.

  When we kneel or bow we are expressing our love, submission and trust. to the Father. However, we cannot live life on our knees. But, we can demonstrate a lifestyle of Barauch through love for one another --- John 13:34. By being submissive to one another--- I Peter 5:5. By having a steadfast heart, trusting in the Lord ---Ps. 112:7; Prov. 3:5,6

  "...inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." Mt. 25;37-40
 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

BARAUCH translated in the King James Bible as:
 

1. BLESS: Psalms 16:7; 66:8; 100:4; 103:1 (Both), 2,20,21,22 (Both); 104:1,35; 135:19 (Both); 135:20 (Both)

2. BLESSED: Ex. 18:10; Ruth 4:14; I Sam. 25:32,39; II Sam. 18:28; I Kings 1:48; 5:7; 8:15,56;10:9; I Chron. 16:36; II Chron. 2:12; 6:4; 9:8; 20:26; Ezra 7:27; Neh. 8:6; Psalms 18:46; 31:21;41:13; 66:20; 68:19,35; 72:18,19; 89:52; 106:48; 119:12; 124:6; 135:21; 144:1; Ezek. 3:12; Dan. 2:20; 3:28; 4:34

3. KNEEL: Psalms 95:6
 
 
 

 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE
 
 
 

TO SING SONGS OF PRAISE WITH INSTRUMENTS
 

YOU SPEAK YOUR PRAISE

IT IS NOT ZAMAR
 
 

5.  ZAMAR
SINGING ACCOMPANIED BY INSTRUMENTS

 

  Zamar is to make music accompanied by the voice. To celebrate. To sing songs of praise with instruments.

  In giving praise to the Father we can either speak it or sing it. However, when expressing Yadah, Towdah, Shabach or Barauch in song, accompanied by instruments, it is described as ZAMAR.
 

Ps. 92:1-3 It is good to give Yadah to the Lord, and to Zamar to Your Name, 0 Most High: To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your fi~ithfi~lness every night. On an instrument often strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious sound. 

 

Ps. 147:7 Sing to the Lord with Towdah; Zamar on the harp to our God...
 

Ps. 98:5,6 Zamar to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
 

Ps. 144:1,9 Barauch to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.... I will sing a new song to You, 0 God; On a harp often strings I will Zamar to You.

  If you speak your praise to God it is not Zamar. You must sing accompanied by instruments to express this type of praise. 

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

ZAMAR translated in the King James Bible as:
 

1.  Praise: Ps. 57:7; 108:1; 138:1

2. Sing Praises: Ps. 9:11; 18:49; 27:6; 47:6 (all),7; 92:1; 108:3; 135:3; 144:9; 146:2; 147:1; 149:3

3. Sing: Ps. 30:4,12; 33:2; 57:9; 59:17; 61:8; 66:2,4 (both); 71:22,23; 75:9; 98:4,5; Is. 12:5

4. Sing Psalms: Psalms 105:2
 
 
 

 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE
 
 
 
 

HALAH IS TO RAVE UPON THE LORD
 

TO BE CLAMOROUSLY FOOLISH BEFORE THE LORD
 

THE WORD HALLELUJAH COMES FROM

"HALAH TO YAHWEH"
 
 
 

6.  HALAH
DEFINED, DESCRIBED, CHARACTERIZED

  Halah is to rave or boast upon the Lord. To be clamorously foolish. If we will give attention to the words in this definition we will have a more vivid understanding of Halah.

  Halah is to RAVE.
 

RAVE; "to talk wildly, as in delirium."Someone who is delirious is in "a state of violent excitement or emotion. Frenzy. A more or less temporary disorder of the mental faculties, as in intoxication, characterized by excitement..."

  Paul, when he said to "be being filled with the Spirit," compared it to being intoxicated Eph. 5:18. Again, when the people saw the disciples after they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, thought that they were intoxicated Acts 2:13-15.
 
 

RAVE: to express great [in an extreme degree] or extravagant [spending much more than is necessary; excessive; exceeding the bounds of reason; going beyond what is justifiable; unrestrained] admiration [to regard with wonder, pleasure, approval].

  Halah is to be CLAMOROUS.
 

CLAMOROUS: "A loud and continuous sound." Focused towards the Lord in raving, this would describe Halah.

  Halah is to be clamorously FOOLISH.

  The best way to understand this characteristic of Halah is in relationship to spirituality and non-spirituality. For the things of God are foolishness to the world read I Cor. 1:18-25].

  Remember when David danced before the Lord? The non-praiser, Michal, saw David leaping and whirling before the Lord and thought he was foolish to the point of despising him in her heart II Sam. 6:14-16, 20-23.

  When we Halah, rave or boast upon the Lord, are clamorously foolish before the Lord, we will be foolish in the eyes of the Non-Praiser and the Non-Christian.
 
 

HALLELUJAH

  The word Hallelujah comes from "Halah to Yahweh." In the Bible we have what is known as the Hallelujah Psalms. They are called this because they either start or end with Hallelujah. Usually translated as "Praise the Lord." These Hallelujah Psalms divide into three groups:
 

Ps 104-106 speak of God's Attributes.

Ps. 111-117 were used for the Passover Feast.

Ps. 135,145-150 were used in the Temple Worship.

  As you read these Hallelujah Psalms keep the definition, description and characteristic of Halah in mind. For the composers are raving upon the Lord. They are being clamorously foolish before the Lord.
 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

HALAH translated in the King James Bible as:
 

1. Praise: I Chron. 16:4; 23:5,30; 25:3; II Chron. 8:14; 20:19,21 (1st); 23:13; 29:30; 31:2; Psalms 22:22,23,26; 35:18; 56:4,10 (both); 63:5; 69:30,34; 74:21; 102:18; 104:35; 106:1,48; 107:32; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1 (all); 113:9; 115:17,18; 116:19; 117:1,2; 119:164,175; 135:1 (all),3,21; 145:2; 146:1 (both),2 (1st),10; 147:1 (1st),12,20; 148: all; 149:1,3,9; 150; all; Jer. 20:13; 31:7; Joel 2:26

2. Praised: II Sam. 22:4; I Chron. 16:25,36; 23:5; II Chron 5:13; 7:6; 30:21; Ps. 18:3; 48:1; 96:4; 113:3; 145:3

3. Praises: II Chron. 29:30

4. Praising: II Chron. 5:13

5. Glory: I Chron. 16:10; Ps. 105:3; 106:5; Is. 41:16; Jer. 4:2; 9:24

6. Boast: Psalms 34:2; 44:8
 
 
 

HEBREW WORD FOR PRAISE
 
 
 

TO SING HALAH
 
 
 
 
 

7.  TEHILLAH

 

  Halah is speaking your praise to the Father. Tehillah is to sing Halah. If you express great and extravagant adnuration to the point of foolishness in the eyes of the non-praiser or non-Christian, loudly in song, you are giving Tehillah to the Father. This is the kind of praise that God inhabits, dwells or lives in. Psalm 22:3.
 

  "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving (Towdah) and into His courts with praise (Tehillah)" Psalm 100:4.

  The entrance into the court or His presence is through the gate, Towdah - confession. But the perceived manifested presence of the Father is in the court - Tehillah.

  When Solomon completed all the work for the house of the Lord, the singers and musicians "...were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising (Halah) and thanking (Yadah) the Lord, and when they lifted their voice with the trumpets and symbols and instruments of music, and praise (Halah) the Lord, ... the glory of the Lord filled the house of God." 2 Chronicles 5:1,13,14.

  In other words when they gave Tehillah, which means to sing Halah, the presence of God manifested and filled the Temple. It was while they were ministering; singing and playing music in praise, that God manifested Himself through His glory.

  The glory of the Lord is the Holy Spirit. For "...Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Lord." Romans 6:4. And Romans 8:11 says that it was "...the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead." So we understand that the glory of the Lord is the Holy Spirit.

  If you are a Christian then the Holy Spirit, the glory of God, is in you. Romans 8:9b. Jesus said He would give us the Spirit to abide with us forever. That He would never leave or forsake us. John 14:16,17; Hebrews 13:5. Again we are told that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19.

  Could it be that if we give Tehillah to the Father that He will reveal or manifest Himself so that we perceive His presence? YES! Tehillah is about the manifested presence of God through His Spirit in you and me.
 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Translated in the King James Bible as:

PRAISE: I Chronicles 16:35; II Chronicles 20:22; Nehemiah 9:5; 12:46; Psalm 9:14; 22:3, 25; 33:1; 34:1; 35:28; 40:3; 48:10; 51:15; 65:1; 66:2, 8; 71:6, 8, 14; 79:13; 100:4; 102:21; 106:2, 12, 47; ii 1:10; 119:171; 145: Title, 21; 147:1(2nd); 148:14(1st); 149:1 (2nd).
 
 
 
 

CONCLUSION

 SEVEN - GOD'S NUMBER OF COMPLETION 

 

SUPERFICIAL PRAISE - A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
 

PRAISE WITHOUT EXPRESSION - DEAD
 

PRAISE - A GROWTH PROCESS
 

 

 

THE HIGHER PRAISE

- BRING YOUR HEART NEAR TO GOD 

 

- SET YOUR LOVE UPON GOD
 

- KEEP THE WORD OF GOD

 

  

 

CONCLUSION
Seven - God's Number of Completion

  It has been said that seven is God's number of completion. I believe that these seven Hebrew words, together as one, form the whole of praise. Within these seven words the completeness of praise, our love, is expressed:

 

Lifting the hands

Confessing His word

Testimony of His grace

Bowing down

Singing

Making music

Shouting

Dancing

Service to others as unto the Lord

  These as one are the fullness of praise, love, expressed. This is the offering of our body to God as a living sacrifice.
 
 

The Higher Praise

  Some desirous of experiencing more of God through what they call the higher praise only express a more intensive physical activity. But this is superficial praise. Although superficial, these expressions of our love to God are important.

  

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." James 2:26

  So also our praise without expression or action is dead.

  Becoming free and uninhibited to express our love through praise is a growth process. The question is how do we grow from the superficial praise of infancy or carnality to the maturity of the higher praise --- the perceived manifested presence of God?

  THE HEART. Jesus, in a confrontation with the Scribes and Pharisees quoted a prophecy of Isaiah. Matthew 15:7-9
 

"Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips.'

  The Spirit of God says that through the mouth, our words, we draw near and honor Him.
 

'...but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,'

  Even though we say the right words our praise can be in vain or superficial if our heart is not near. The reason for their hearts being far from God, the Spirit says, is that they were
 

''Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

  They were doing and teaching their own way. The way of men. But, if we want to bring our heart near to God we must do it according to His way, according to His word and not ours.

  LOVE. Psalm 91 is a description of the habitation of God. It is called the secret place. This secret place, we discover, is a refuge, fortress, deliverance, cover, shield, dwelling place. His presence. Then in verse 14 the Spirit tells us how the individual entered this secret place. "Because he has set his love upon Me... ." How do we mature to the higher praise --- the perceived manifested presence of God? By setting our love upon God!

  THE WORD. Jesus said that if people loved Him they would show that love by keeping His word. Then He would manifest or reveal Himself to them.
 

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us and not to the world? Jesus answered and said to him' If anyone loves Me he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words... ." John 14:21 - 24.

  How do we enter the higher praise --- the perceived manifested presence of God?  By bringing our heart near.  By setting our love upon Him.  By keeping His word.
 
 

For God inhabits the praises of His children.
Psalm 22:3

 

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